(a) Two must be licensed occupational therapists in this state with no less than three years of experience in occupational therapy immediately preceding their appointment;
(b) One must be a licensed occupational therapy assistant; and
(c) Two must be members of the public who are not:
(A) Otherwise eligible for appointment to the board; or
(B) A spouse, domestic partner, child, parent or sibling of an individual who is a licensed occupational therapist or licensed occupational therapy assistant.
(2)(a) Board members required to be occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants may be selected by the Governor from a list of three to five nominees for each vacancy, submitted by:
(A) The Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon, if the vacancy is in an occupational therapist position; or
(B) Any professional organization representing occupational therapy assistants, if the vacancy is in an occupational therapy assistant position.
(b) In selecting the members of the board, the Governor shall strive to balance the representation on the board according to:
(A) Geographic areas of this state; and
(B) Ethnic group.
(3)(a) Board members serve a term of four years, but a member serves at the pleasure of the Governor. The terms shall be staggered so that no more than two terms end each year. A member is eligible for reappointment. If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the board for any reason, the Governor shall make an appointment to become immediately effective for the expired term.
(b) A board member shall be removed immediately from the board if, during the member’s term, the member:
(A) Is not a resident of this state;
(B) Has been absent from three consecutive board meetings, unless at least one absence is excused;
(C) Is not a licensed occupational therapist or a retired occupational therapist who was a licensed occupational therapist in good standing at the time of retirement, if the board member was appointed to serve on the board as an occupational therapist; or
(D) Is not a licensed occupational therapy assistant or a retired occupational therapy assistant who was a licensed occupational therapy assistant in good standing at the time of retirement, if the board member was appointed to serve on the board as an occupational therapy assistant.
(4) Members of the board are entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in ORS 292.495. The board may provide by rule for compensation to board members for the performance of official duties at a rate that is greater than the rate provided in ORS 292.495. [1977 c.858 §11; 1997 c.632 §10; 2007 c.316 §3; 2009 c.535 §2]